Verizon launches first budget LTE phone, the Pantech Breakout on September 22

By Mike Dunn September 19, 2011

Fresh on the heels of the Droid Bionic Verizon announces yet another 4G LTE Android phone. The Pantech Breakout will be the first budget friendly LTE phone on Verizon’s network. On contact the Breakout can be had for only $100, which is half the price of the next cheapest phone in the stable. The Breakout will become available later this week on September 22.

There doesn’t seem to be any one reason why the Breakout is half the price of the LG Revolution, or one third the price of the Droid Charge. It will be the first Verizon LTE device to not have a 4.3 inch screen, but it is by no means a small screen measuring in at 4 inches. Even with a smaller screen it has the same resolution as the LG Revolution, Droid Charge, and HTC Thunderbolt, which means it has a higher pixel density.

The Breakout also features a 1 gigahertz processor, but the brand of processor is not mentioned in the press release. With the exception of the Droid Bionic all the other LTE devices have a 1 gigahertz processor. There is also no mention of the size of the battery, and with battery life being a common problem among LTE phones this might be an issue.

The Breakout will also feature Android Gingerbread 2.3, with what looks to be a custom skin provided by Pantech. As of right now there are no stock Android options on Verizon’s LTE network, but that could change if all the rumors of a Droid Prime are true.

It is far too early to start passing judgment on an unreleased phone. Just comparing the specs of this phone verses the other LTE options on Verizon it does not appear to be a budget phone. If the Breakout can match the performance of the other 1 gigahertz LTE phones, and have decent battery life looks to be a great deal at only $100.

Editors' Recommendations

Mobvoi’s connected Ticwatch Pro 4G LTE takes on Apple and Samsung in the U.K.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Mike graduated from University of Arizona with a degree in poetry, and made his big break by writing love sonnets to the…

Mobile

Best Samsung tablet deals: Discounted tablets as low as $184

Recent apps view on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

Samsung makes a huge lineup of quality yet affordable tablets, many of them in competition to be among the best tablets, and many more often found among the best tablet deals. With a wide set of prices ranging from budget to premium, a Samsung tablet makes a great investment for almost anyone who enjoys the touchscreen form factor. There are quite a few Samsung tablet deals worth shopping right now, and we’ve done the heavy lifting of tracking down the best. Among them you’ll find discounts on the likes of the budget tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite and the high-end tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. So whichever end of the tablet spectrum you fall on, or if you land anywhere in between, read onward for more details on the best Samsung tablet deals available right now.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 -- $184, was $230

If you need a bigger screen, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is another solid budget option. It is 10.5 inches and runs a much better 1920 x 1200 resolution, which also makes it a better option for watching content. It does have a much smaller capacity at 32GB, although you can always expand it with a MicroSD, so it's not a dealbreaker. That said, the 3GB of RAM is very much within the limits of what's going to give you a smoother experience, but it's the sort of compromise you deal with when going for a larger screen at a budget price.

Mobile

Is the Oura Ring waterproof?

The Oura Ring Horizon resting on a green succulent plant.

The Oura Ring is a highly sought-after wearable device available in different styles and price ranges. It allows users to track their sleep and recovery, stress levels, illnesses, and fitness routines -- and it even provides features specific to women's health. With so many features, you might wonder whether the watch is waterproof. Let's find out.
Is the Oura Ring waterproof?
Technically, the Oura Ring is not waterproof. Instead, it's water-resistant up to 330 feet (100 meters). This is the case for most modern gadgets. You'll often find water resistance protection on products, which is good, but it's not exactly the same as being waterproof. But what does that really mean? We explain below.
Can you go swimming with the Oura Ring?
The Oura Ring has a certain level of protection that allows you to wear it while swimming, showering, and snorkeling. However, wearing the Oura Ring during scuba diving or when there is a risk of extended water submersion or extreme pressure is not advisable. Oura recommends avoiding wearing the ring in such scenarios to ensure its longevity and proper functioning.

Oura further explains: "The Oura Ring operating temperature ranges from [-10 to 52 degrees Celsius and 14 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit]. You can safely wear your ring in the shower, hot tubs, saunas, ice baths, and cryotherapy tanks. However, extended exposure to extreme temperatures (below 0°C/32°F or above 35°C/95°F) may lead to battery damage."
How does this compare to other smart rings?
Of Oura's chief competitors, only the Ultrahuman Ring Air provides similar water resistance. By contrast, the Amovan Smart Ring only provides water resistance up to 50 meters. The Oura Ring offers the same level of protection as the Apple Watch Ultra, making it an excellent alternative to smartwatches. However, it surpasses the Apple Watch Series 2 or later and the Google Pixel Watch 2, which can only resist water up to 50 meters.

Mobile

Every Android tablet we’re expecting in 2024

The home screen on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

It’s an exciting time for Android tablets. Into the vacuum left in 2023 by Apple’s first-ever dearth of new iPads stepped two new contenders offering distinct takes on what a tablet should be, while Samsung’s venerable Tab S9 lineup raised the bar by cementing the position of its largest tablet and bringing AMOLED screens to the entire family.

There’s no reason to believe that this year will be any less interesting as Samsung continues to up its game while Google and OnePlus try to refine their initial first-generation efforts into more mature products.